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Wildfire safety is paramount if you own or rent property near forests, rural areas, or remote mountain sites. According to the most current data from the National Interagency Fire Center, there were 64,897 wildfires that burned approximately 8.9 million acres across the United States in 2024, destroying more than 2,400 residences and a total of 4,552 structures nationwide.
Those numbers are a sobering reminder of how fast wildfires can spread and why preparation matters. Use the infographic below to learn 10 practical ways to prepare your home and family for wildfires, so you can protect what matters most before danger is at your doorstep.
Preparing Your Home and Family for Wildfires
Preparation is one of the most effective ways to reduce wildfire risk. Check out the infographic below for 10 practical ways to prepare your home and family for wildfires.
Here’s a quick overview of how to prepare for a wildfire:
- Create two defensible spaces: Clear vegetation around your home to slow the spread of flames.
- Install a water shield: Use sprinklers or irrigation systems to keep your yard damp and defensible.
- Space plants wisely: Avoid overcrowding to prevent flames from spreading between trees and shrubs.
- Trim tree limbs: Keep branches at least 10 feet away from your roof or chimney.
- Reduce fire fuel: Remove dry leaves, pine needles, and other debris from your yard and gutters.
- Set up an emergency water supply: Have access to a hydrant, tank, pool, or pond for firefighting.
- Practice fire safety: Create and rehearse a fire emergency plan with your family.
- Keep a home inventory: Document valuables and store the information safely.
- Review your insurance coverage: Make sure your homeowners insurance policy protects against wildfire damage.
- Report a loss quickly: Contact your insurer right away if your home is affected by fire.
Other Tips for Preparing for Wildfires
Beyond home maintenance and safety steps, it’s also important to understand the bigger picture and plan for how to stay safe if one occurs near you.
Here are a few additional tips to strengthen your wildfire preparedness:
Know What Causes Wildfires
How do wildfires start? Most wildfires begin from human activity, such as unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, fireworks, or sparks from vehicles and power lines. Learning what causes wildfires can help you avoid risky behaviors and stay alert during dry, windy conditions.
Create Multiple Evacuation Routes
Don’t rely on a single exit path. Roads can close quickly during a wildfire, so plan at least two or three alternate routes to leave your neighborhood safely. Share them with everyone in your household and practice them ahead of time.
Pack an Emergency Survival Kit
Have an emergency survival kit ready with essentials like water, snacks, medications, flashlights, a first-aid kit, and phone chargers. Keep it in an easy-to-reach spot so you can leave quickly if an evacuation order is issued.
Stay Connected
Make sure every family member knows how to contact one another if you’re separated. Also, choose an out-of-town contact person to check in with in case the local phone networks or internet service go down.
Know Your Local Resources
Take a little time to learn what resources are available in your area before wildfire season starts. Find out where your nearest fire stations and evacuation shelters are located, and check if your county offers emergency text alerts or a wildfire tracking app. Signing up now means you’ll get updates right away when every minute counts.
“We know how stressful wildfire season can be for homeowners,” says Kelly Butler, VP and Chief Underwriting Officer at Mercury Insurance. “The best thing you can do is plan ahead. That means fireproof your home, know your evacuation routes, keep an emergency kit ready, and make sure your insurance coverage fits your needs.”
Stay Safe and Protected with Mercury Insurance
Wildfires can be devastating, but you’re not powerless against them. The right preparation and coverage can make your property and family safer, so keep the tips from this guide in mind when wildfire season rolls around.
At Mercury, we’re here to help you be ready for whatever comes your way. From sharing safety tips to providing customizable homeowners coverage, our goal is to help you recover faster and rebuild stronger if disaster strikes.
Contact us today for a fast, free quote!
Kelly Butler is the VP, Chief Underwriting Officer for Mercury Insurance, where she is responsible for combining analytics with traditional underwriting to evaluate wildfire risk and exposure. Her wildfire training includes the completion of a two-day National Fire Protection Association course “Assessing Structure Ignition Potential From Wildfire,” which identifies the most effective mitigation techniques. Butler received a BA in Marketing and an MBA from CSU Fullerton.
The Mercury Marketing Team is made up of professionals in the fields of Content Creation, Public Relations, Social Media and Journalism. The team works together to deliver professionally written and researched content to provide information for consumers.